TUNE-YARDS

WhoKill

2011-04-25

For Tune-Yards’ second release, Merrill Garbus has gone a bit Lo-Fi. Not that WhoKill doesn’t have its share of samples, effects, and tribal beats. There are also plenty of straight up vocals, displaying Ms. Garbus’ awesome range. She can go from guttural rapping (“Gangsta”), to pop chanteuse (“Wooly Wolly Gong”), to something akin to Bjork (“You Yes You”)...sometimes all in one song (“Powa”). All this is backed by interesting, often home-made instrumentation. Songs often seem patched together, but it doesn’t seem to be detrimental...indeed it works to advantage. While WhoKill is intriguing and somewhat eccentric, it doesn’t quite measure up to Tune-yards’ esoteric first release, Birdbrains, an album that I liked immensely. Rebecca Ruth

Quick Links:

More reviews tagged #Rock

  • reviewed 03/2009

    DOVES
    Kingdom of Rust

  • reviewed 11/2016

    Glitch Code
    Gifted_Damaged

  • reviewed 12/2006

    MIDLAKE
    The Trials of Van Occupanther

  • reviewed 09/2010

    jason spooner
    seamonster

  • reviewed 10/2009

    DRIVE BY TRUCKERS
    THE FINE PRINT

  • reviewed 11/2009

    PROFESSOR LOUIE AND THE CROWMATIX
    Whispering Pines

Compiled by the WYCE Journalism Club

The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.